Known as the 'Manchester of Maharashtra' for being a textile industry hub, Malegaon in Nashik district is a city that belongs to the labourers and the working class.

Amidst the wave of modernisation, the 'Old Bicycle Market', where used cycles are turned around, is a major business centre of the city. Even in the era of motorbikes and e-bikes, this market, which has been running since 1965, is always bustling.

The City of Malegaon has one of the largest Muslim populations in  Maharashtra. As a hub of the power loom industry, this city has preserved its traditional culture and old ways of doing business. For the working class here, a bicycle is not just a mode of transport; it is a daily necessity. That is why the importance of old bicycles has remained intact here for the last six decades.

This market for old bicycles has been operating in the city since around 1965. Over six decades, many new vehicle models have come and gone, but the crowd at this market hasn't dwindled. Earlier, this market used to be held in the Shani Mandir area. It was started by former corporator Mohammad Gesu. Currently, this market is held in the Mahadev Ghat area.

This market is held once a week, every Friday. Various types of bicycles are available here according to customer demand. Therefore, there is a huge crowd of citizens buying bicycles. Every Friday, the sale of about 40 bicycles results in a turnover of approximately one lakh rupees.

Since cheap, durable, and sturdy bicycles are available here, the trend of customers visiting the market is increasing. While many citizens are switching to motorbikes, the demand for bicycles remains constant in this market. Bicycles are available here for all age groups, including children, girls, and women.

The prices of new bicycles are not affordable for the common citizen. In this market, a child's bicycle is available for two thousand rupees, while an adult's bicycle costs between 3,000 and 5,000 rupees. Various types of bicycles, like simple, Ranger, Sport, 20 and 22-inch, gear, and disc brake models are found here. Since old bicycles are sturdy to use, their 'craze' persists.

Mohammad Abdullah, a trader from Mahadev Ghat, Malegaon, spoke about the reliability of this market. He said, "On the purchase receipt of the bicycle, the frame number near the seat is noted down. There are eight traders selling bicycles here. On Fridays, more than 200 bicycles come for sale. On average, forty bicycles are sold daily. The rates of new bicycles are not affordable for common people. There is no cheating while selling bicycles. This market and its traders have maintained the trust of customers for sixty years."

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This market in Malegaon has proven that no matter how modern a city becomes, the needs of the common man and the importance of traditional markets never diminish. Held in a Muslim-majority area, this market has also become a symbol of social harmony and trust.